$174,942 grant to be used for creating an education emphasis for the cruise industry and development of a customized training program for Norwegian Cruise Line

HONOLULU — The Rural Development Project has awarded a grant totaling $174,942 to Kapiʻolani Community College to create an education program with an emphasis on the cruise industry and to work in partnership with NCL America (NCLA) to develop a customized training program for their Hawaiʻi ships.

Kapiʻolani CC will have the opportunity to share their expertise in training to assist NCLA with assessing and upgrading their current new hire training program, as well as providing training that will not only help to enhance employee skills, but also increase their knowledge of the islands. NCLA will also provide their industry expertise and work in partnership with Kapiʻolani CC as they begin to develop a "Certificate of Competence" with an emphasis in the cruise industry.

Kapiʻolani CC Dean of Hospitality, Culinary and College Advancement Carol Hoshiko said, "We are very proud of this grant and especially pleased to have the opportunity to work with an organization such as NCLA. This partnership with NCLA reaffirms the community‘s recognition of our faculty and the valued service in providing not only a quality education for students, but also for the business community through our expertise in training, continued learning and development."

"We look forward to collaborating with Kapiʻolani CC and sharing our knowledge of the industry to help develop a cruise education emphasis," said Alan Yamamoto, NCL America Vice President, Hawaiʻi Operations. "We recognize Kapiʻolani CC‘s strengths to assist us in providing training and workforce development for our crew. NCLA is proud to employ thousands of crew members aboard our U.S. flag fleet in Hawaiʻi. We are hopeful that the partnership with Kapiʻolani CC will help us provide future career opportunities in the cruise industry in Hawaiʻi."

Financial support for this program is provided by the Rural Development Project (RDP). The RDP receives its funding from the Department of Labor and they provide the infrastructure development support to community colleges throughout the University of Hawaiʻi system for the purpose of establishing programs that address community workforce needs.

For more information about the Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts programs at Kapiʻolani Community College, visit www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu.